Biology Major (BA)

Charles G. Smith, Professor, Chair
Frank P. Keegan, Raymond Binford Professor of Biology
Lynn J. Moseley, Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology
Bryan W. Brendley, Assistant Professor
Melanie L.ee-Brown , Assistant Professor
Michele Malotky, Assistant Professor
Thomas R. Tucker, Assistant Professor

Requirements

The biology major (BA) consists of ten courses (40 credit hours):

  • BIOL 111: Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells
  • BIOL 112: Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology and Evolution
  • BIOL 291: Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
  • Five additional biology courses are chosen by student in consultation with advisor
  • CHEM 111: Chemical Principles I
  • CHEM 112: Chemical Principles II

The goal of this major is to provide students with a sufficient background in biology to prepare them for a career in environmental law, environmental science, environmental education, national or state park naturalist, medical illustrator or author, marketing and sale of pharmaceuticals or scientific equipment, laboratory technician, medical support staff or other careers that do not require undergraduate work in physics and calculus.  A student majoring in biology (BA) would select a concentration of their choice, such as environmental studies, applied ethics or pre-law.  

Tracks of Study

After completing the three required biology courses, students will be thoroughly grounded in the fundamental areas of biology and will be able to select a track within the major appropriate to their career goals. Students must then take five additional courses at the 300 or 400 level. Examples of tracks chosen by potential prospective students include the following:

For a student interested in law school with a specialization in environmental or health-sciences law:

  • Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells
  • Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution
  • Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
  • Genetics
  • Field Botany
  • General Ecology

For a student interested in a career with the National Park Service:

  • ntegrative Biology: Molecules and Cells
  • Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution
  • Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
  • Vertebrate Field Zoology
  • Field Botany:
  • Ornithology or Icthyology
  • General Ecology
  • Animal Behavior

For students interested in a career in marketing or sales of pharmaceuticals or scientific equipment:

  • Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells
  • Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution
  • Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
  • Microbiology
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

For students interested in a career in medical or scientific illustration:

  • Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells
  • Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution
  • Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
  • Field Botany
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
  • Vertebrate Field Zoology
  • Microbiology